Characters: doctor, gentlewoman, Lady Macbeth

Location: Dunsinane, a room in the castle

Events: Lady Macbeth’s gentlewoman tells a doctor about her mistress’s behaviour while sleepwalking. The she appears, asleep and carrying a candle. In her sleepwalking Lady Macbeth imagines she is washing Banquo’s blood off her hands and talks about how she has played a part in Banquo’s death. The doctor leaves, shocked at what he has seen and heard.

Quote: ‘…What, will these hands ne’er be clean?…’

Explanation: She is feeling guilt about murdering Banquo even though when Macbeth stated his guilt she told him to shut up and get over it. She is having night terrors and vividly imagining Banquo’s blood on her hands. She doesn’t think that she will ever be able to get over her guilt.